# A judge in the High Court in the Free State, Lepono Lekale, has defended his eight-year sick leave before a Judicial Conduct Tribunal in Johannesburg, investigating whether he is medically unfit to remain on the bench. Lekale testified he underwent two amputations in 2018 before losing his sight, and said a traditional healer advised him not to take early retirement because he believed his vision could return. He denied any misconduct or incompetence:
Free State judge defends 8 years of sick leave at tribunal [SOUND]
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